Fears of Thousands of Victims After Two Strong Earthquakes Strike Venezuela

SadaNews - Venezuela has witnessed a violent natural disaster after it was hit by two strong earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, causing buildings to collapse and sparking panic in the capital, Caracas, while authorities have not yet announced an official death toll.

The U.S. Geological Survey warned that the disaster could be widespread, with a high likelihood of a significant increase in the number of victims, as thousands of residents spent the night in the streets fearing aftershocks, amidst scenes of panic and destruction in various areas.

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency in the country, confirming the closure of Simón Bolívar International Airport serving the capital, after it sustained significant damage to its infrastructure.

The first earthquake occurred at 22:04 GMT, with its epicenter located 21 kilometers west of the coastal town of Morón, before a stronger second tremor struck 39 seconds later, measuring 7.5, roughly 45 kilometers from the first site, in a phenomenon described by the U.S. Geological Survey as a "double earthquake," a rare occurrence that increases the extent of destruction and complicates rescue operations.

The agency noted that approximately 20 aftershocks had been recorded, warning that the disaster could result in significant human losses and widespread damage.

In Caracas, rescue teams began searching for those trapped under the rubble, with medics seen carrying injured individuals on stretchers from among the collapsed buildings. A 22-story residential building was completely destroyed in the Altamira neighborhood, as residents and volunteers searched for the missing amid piles of debris, calling for the provision of flashlights as night fell.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged residents to evacuate damaged buildings, announcing the cutoff of gas supplies to several establishments as a precautionary measure to prevent explosions or fires, and confirming that injuries had been reported without disclosing their numbers.

A state of panic spread throughout the capital, as thousands rushed into the streets and many refused to return to their homes or workplaces for fear of new aftershocks. The city also experienced power outages, with shards of broken glass scattered across several streets.

Heidi Romero, who was inside a shopping center in Altamira when the earthquake struck, described the scene as "unbelievable," noting that those present evacuated the building via emergency stairs.

Similarly, Odalis Escalona, a 54-year-old bank employee, reported that the stairs detached from the building and the walls cracked completely, while parts of the ceiling fell, describing the moments as "terrifying."

Carmen Guedez, 69, recalled the moments she experienced with her bedridden sister, stating that the windows began to shake before the ground violently moved, adding that she and her neighbor could not leave the house due to the intensity of the tremors.

Photos circulating on social media, shared by Deputy Wilmer Azuaje and several users, showed parts of the ceiling of one of the terminals at Simón Bolívar Airport collapsing, with travelers appearing to flee amidst panic.

The impact of the earthquake extended beyond Venezuela, as it was felt by residents of the Colombian capital, Bogotá, which is about a thousand kilometers in a straight line from the epicenter. Nevertheless, the Colombian Disaster Risk Management Unit confirmed that there was no threat of tsunami waves on the Colombian Caribbean coast.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing, as authorities await to announce the official death toll and the extent of the damages caused by one of the most intense earthquakes Venezuela has experienced in recent years.